Replacement liner dispenser add-on unit attachable to refuse receptacle

ABSTRACT

A replacement liner dispenser add-on unit for use in storing replacement liners for lining a refuse container used to store trash, recyclables and the like, is described that can be fitted to the rim of the container. The add-on unit may be made to fit containers already in use, or specially formed to fit new containers. The add-on unit forms a bezel to fit to the rim of a refuse container and comprises retaining means by which replacement liners may be stored and dispensed proximate their point of use. Many alternative embodiments of the retaining means are possible, including an upwardly opening cavity in which replacement liners may be stored, a notch into which a separate storage tray may be fitted and held in place with a slot and tab mechanism, a shelf housing into which a tray for retaining liners may be fitted, a bracket mechanism to releasably retain a roll of liners, or other similar formations. In yet other embodiments of the invention, a cover is included. In still other embodiments, stabilizing means are provided to counter-weight the set of replacement liners.

[0001] The present invention relates to refuse receptacles, specificallyto a refuse receptacle dispenser add-on unit attachable to a refusereceptacle, with means for retaining and dispensing replacement linersintegrated therein.

[0002] It is common practice to provide receptacles for trash,recyclables and the like, with disposable liners so that when thereceptacle is full, the liner can be removed and a new liner installedmaking the waste receptacle clean and ready for reuse. Sets ofreplacement liner bags are usually obtained either in perforated rollswhere the liners are separated by tearing along the perforations or inboxes where they are inter-folded so that when one is removed, anotheris pulled up and ready to remove. Though replacement liners are readilyavailable for purchase and use, they are not always readily available atthe site of the refuse receptacle when a full liner bag is removed andthe receptacle must be re-lined. The present invention addresses thisissue by providing a replacement liner dispenser add-on unit fittable torefuse receptacles, with means to retain and dispense replacement linersintegrated therein. The dispenser unit may be customized to fit old ornew refuse receptacles.

[0003] In the accompanying drawings:

[0004]FIG. 1 is a right perspective view from above of the presentinvention;

[0005]FIG. 2 depicts the present invention in position over a refusecontainer for placement thereon;

[0006]FIG. 3 like FIG. 2, depicts the present invention in positionrelative to the container, but with an alternative embodiment of theretaining means;

[0007]FIG. 4 is a left perspective view from above front showing anembodiment of the present invention showing the tray with optional slottherein and a stabilizing flange fitted to the base of the receptacle;

[0008]FIG. 5 is a left perspective view from above front showing anembodiment of the invention in which the retaining means forms a hollowcavity integral with the rim and a lid pivotally connected to the rim;

[0009]FIG. 6 shows the cover of FIG. 5 in its closed position; and,

[0010]FIG. 7 is a right perspective view from above front of anembodiment of the present invention in which the retaining means forms ahollow cavity integral with the rim and is fitted with a cap unitslotted for dispensement of individual liners. Reference Numerals InDrawings 10 add-on unit 11 seat portion 12 leg portion 13 container 14rim 16 opening 18 base 20 retaining means 22 replacement liners 24 capunit 26 slot 28 rectangular notch 30 tray 34 bracket mechanism 36 lid 38liner 40 stabilizing flange

A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Referring to the figures, in which identical or similar parts aredesignated by the same reference numerals throughout, a detaileddescription of various alternative embodiments of the present inventionis given. However, the present invention can assume additionalembodiments, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art,without departing from the appended claims.

[0012] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, an embodiment of thepresent invention, a refuse receptacle add-on unit 10, is depictedcomprising a bezel with an upper seat portion 11 and a lower leg portion12. A retaining means 20 is integral to the seat portion 11 andfunctions to retain a set of replacement liners 22 used to line a refusecontainer 13.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, the add-on unit 10 is depicted in relativeposition with a container 13. The container 13 comprises a number ofsubstantially vertical side walls. The side walls comprise an upper rim14 that defines an open upper end at the top and an opening 16 throughwhich refuse such as trash, recyclables and the like may be depositedinto the interior of the container. The side walls also define a lowerend and a base 18. When the add-on unit 10 is positioned on thecontainer 13, the seat portion 11 of the add-on unit 10 rests on the rimof the container 13, and the leg portion 12 of the add-on unit 10functions to secure the add-on unit 10 in place. Since an inner liner 38is normally placed in the interior of the container 13 with its open endpositioned over the edge of the rim 14, capping the rim 14 of thecontainer 13 with the add-on unit 10 bezel serves to hold the liner 38in place, preventing it from collapsing inwardly as refuse is deposited.

[0014] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the add-on unit 10 bezel isL-shaped in cross-section and includes the seat portion 11 adapted torest on the container rim 14 and the leg portion 12 comprising adepending leg disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portion11 that is adapted to abut against the inside surface of the container13 side walls when the add-on unit 10 is in place. Several alternativeembodiments of the leg portion 12 are possible, including that depictedin FIG. 2 in which the add-on unit 10 bezel is U-shaped in cross-sectionincluding the seat portion 11 and the leg portion 12 which comprises twodepending legs disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seatportion 11, one of which is adapted to abut against the inside surfaceof the container 13 side walls and the other adapted to abut against theoutside surface of the container 13 side walls when the add-on unit 10is in place. When an outer leg is present, it may vary in length fromlonger as depicted in FIG. 2 to shorter as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 4-7.

[0015] The retaining means 20 is integral to the seat portion 11 of thebezel and functions to retain a set of replacement liner bags 22 forlining the interior of the container 13. As depicted in FIG. 1, theretaining means 20 is formed from an extension of the seat portion 11into which a molded cavity has been formed. The cavity is made to a sizeappropriate to store commonly available replacement rolls or boxes ofliners. Thus the cavity forms a convenient storage area to keepreplacement liners 22 handily available at the container 13 for easyaccess when a new liner is needed. The cavity storage area may be formedto a basically rectangular shape or alternatively in a cylindrical shapeto better fit replacement liners that come stored on rolls.

[0016] In alternative embodiments and as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 7, theretaining means 20 may also include a cap unit 24, fittable to theopening of the cavity to hold the set of replacement liners 22 securelyin place and to keep the replacement liners 22 free from dirt anddebris. The cap unit 24 may be a separate piece (as shown in FIG. 7) orit may be pivotally connected to an edge of the retaining means 20 (asshown in FIG. 4) allowing it to pivot between a closed and an openposition.

[0017] Optionally, the cap unit 24 may also include an elongated slot 26to aid in dispensing replacement liners therethrough one at a time.Another option is to leave the cap unit 24 as a solid cover, whileproviding a slot in the underside of the storage cavity or in a tray 30(see FIG. 4). In this way, individual replacement liners may bedispensed by pulling them out from the storage cavity or tray 30, whilethey remain clean and dry because they are covered above by a solid capunit 24.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the retainingmeans 20 is depicted. In this embodiment the retaining means 20comprises a rectangular notch 28 molded into one end of the seat portion11 and a tray 30 into which a replacement set of liners 22 may bestored. The notch 28 and tray 30 fit together by means of a slot and tabmechanism. As depicted in the figure, the notch 28 contains a slot alongits inner surface. A matching tab is formed of the outer edge of thetray 30. In this way, the tray 30 may be slid into the slot of the notch28, thereby securing the tray in place. Alternatively, the notch 28 maybe tabbed while the tray 30 is slotted.

[0019] The tray 30 may be formed in various shapes such as cylindrical,rectangular (as depicted in FIG. 4), or any number of other shapes aswarranted by the form in which replacement liners are supplied.Additionally, the packaging in which the replacement liners 22 areprovided may form a disposable version of tray 30, similarlycustom-fitting to the particular retaining means 20. Like thenon-disposable version, the disposable tray 30 may be of varying sizesand shapes with tabs, slots or other means by which it may be fitted tothe retaining means 20.

[0020] Several other alternative embodiments of the retaining means 20are possible. For example, the retaining means 20 may comprise a supportplatform sized to hold the tray 30 into which replacement liners 22 arestored. The tray 30 is simply slid into place onto the support platform32 to securely hold it in place. Alternatively, and as depicted in FIG.2, the retaining means 20 may comprise a set of bracket mechanisms 34designed to releasably retain a set of replacement liners 22. Thisparticular design works well with replacement liners 22 that comemounted on a hollow core tube of card board or the like. Each end of thetube can be held in place at each bracket 34, allowing the roll torevolve freely as individual liners are dispensed therefrom.

[0021] The refuse receptacle add-on unit 10 of the present invention mayadditionally include a cover 36. The cover 36 may be a separate piece orpivotally attached to one end of the seat portion 11 as depicted in FIG.5, in which case it may freely rotate between an open and closedposition (see FIG. 6 in which cover shown in closed position).

[0022] The cover 36 is sized to fit snugly over the top of the seatportion 11, and any extensions thereof including the retaining means 20.The cover 36 may thus form a cover to the retaining means 20,eliminating the need for the cap unit 24. Like the cap unit 24, theportion of the cover 36 forming a cover to the housing for thereplacement liners 22, may contain a slot 26 to allow individual linersto be dispensed therefrom (as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6). The cover 36may be open or solid over the opening of the container 13. If open,refuse may be deposited while the cover 36 is in the closed position, asaccess to the opening of the container 13 is unobstructed. If solid, thecover 36 serves also as a cover to the container 13 to contain therefuse within and to keep rain and pests out, in which case it must beopened to deposit refuse.

[0023] The add-on unit 10, and cover 36 when present, may additionallyform one or more handles. The handles may, in some alternatives, beintegral with the retaining means 20.

[0024] Because the retaining means 20 is designed to store a set ofreplacement liners 22, and the replacement liners 22 may weigh asignificant amount, the container 13 may require counter-balancing forstability since the weight of the replacement liners 22 is generally notcentrally positioned. Many alternative embodiments exist for stabilizingmeans. For example, various of the side walls of the container 13 may beangled, sized or weighted differently than others to effect acounter-balance. The seat portion 11 of the add-on unit 10 may bemodified to two retaining means 20, symmetrically positioned so as tobalance each other, avoiding the problem all together.

[0025] One simple stabilizing means is to employ a stabilizing flange 40at the base 18 of the container 13. Referring to FIG. 4, the stabilizingflange 40 is shown fitted to the base 18 of the container 13. Thestabilizing flange 40 may be a separate piece into which the base 18 issecurely set, or it may be formed integrally with the base 18 forming asolid unit.

B. OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0026] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of various embodiments thereof. Theabove-described embodiments are set forth by way of example and are notfor the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that obvious modifications,derivations and variations can be made without departing from the scopeof the invention. For example,

[0027] a) the container 13 can assume various alternative shapes andsizes to accommodate its particular use and location. For example,though illustrated generally as rectangular in shape, the main body ofthe container 13 can alternatively be cylindrical. The add-on unit 10will thus assume various alternative shapes to match the container 13shape accordingly;

[0028] b) the retaining means 20 to retain a set of replacement linersmay take many alternative forms and may depend upon the form of theliner refill packaging. The seat portion 11 for example, may containextensions and these extensions may be adapted to releasably retainreplacement sets of liners;

[0029] c) the add-on unit 10, with or without the cover 36, may form oneor more handles which may be integral with retaining means 20.

[0030] d) liner rolls may be retained in various orientations to theadd-on unit including horizontally, as depicted generally in thedrawings, or vertically; and,

[0031] e) the retaining means may include a locking mechanism to securethe liners where the refuse receptacle is exposed to that sort of risk.

[0032] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined notby the examples given, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

I claim:
 1. A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rimof a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one sidewall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining anopen upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base,the add-on unit comprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarlywith the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon,said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of thecontainer; a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to theseat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and, aretaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set ofreplacement liners.
 2. A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to anupper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at leastone side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rimdefining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower enddefining a base, the add-on unit comprising: a bezel disposedsubstantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-onunit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted torest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; and, a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising anextension of the seat portion into which is integrally molded anupwardly opening cavity to house the set of replacement liners.
 3. Therefuse receptacle add-on unit of claim 2, in which the retaining meansfurther comprises a cap unit fittable to an opening of the cavity toretain the set of replacement liners as they are individually dispensedthrough an elongated slot in the cap unit.
 4. A refuse receptacle add-onunit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising acontainer having at least one side wall, said at least one side wallcomprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, anda closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: a bezeldisposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container whenthe add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portionadapted to rest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposedsubstantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel tothe rim of the container; and, a retaining means integral with the seatportion to retain a set of replacement liners, comprising: an extensionof the seat portion into which is integrally molded an inwardlyextending elongated rectangular notch; a separate housing means to housethe set of replacement liners, said housing means comprising a hollowtray having an upper open end and a rim; and, a housing engagement meansto hold the tray securely in the rectangular notch.
 5. The refusereceptacle add-on unit of claim 4, in which the housing engagement meanscomprises a tab and slot mechanism, said tab and slot mechanism beingadapted to securely engage the tray and to prevent same from freelyexiting the rectangular notch.
 6. The refuse receptacle add-on unit ofclaim 4, in which the retaining means further comprises a cap unitfittable to the notch opening to retain the set of replacement liners asthey are individually dispensed through an elongated slot in the capunit.
 7. The refuse receptacle add-on unit of claim 4, in which theretaining means further comprises a cap unit fittable to the notchopening to retain the set of replacement liners, and in which said trayfurther comprises an elongated slot located in a bottom portion thereofto allow the downward, individual dispensement of a liner from the setof replacement liners.
 8. The refuse receptacle of claim 4, in which thehollow tray of the separate housing means comprises a packaging in whichthe set of replacement liners is provided.
 9. The refuse housing meansof claim 8 in which the packaging further forms an elongated slot toallow the individual dispensement of a liner from the set of replacementliners.
 10. A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rimof a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at least one sidewall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rim defining anopen upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base,the add-on unit comprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarlywith the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon,said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of thecontainer; a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to theseat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and, aretaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set ofreplacement liners, comprising a bracketing mechanism to releasablyretain a set of replacement liners, said set of replacement linersforming a roll mounted on a hollow core element.
 11. A refuse receptacleadd-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprisinga container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wallcomprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, anda closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unit comprising: a bezeldisposed substantially co-planarly with the rim of the container whenthe add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portionadapted to rest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposedsubstantially perpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel tothe rim of the container; and, a retaining means integral with the seatportion to retain a set of replacement liners, comprising a supportsized to insertably hold a hollow tray in which is housed a set ofreplacement liners.
 12. A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to anupper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having at leastone side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upper rimdefining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower enddefining a base, the add-on unit comprising: a bezel disposedsubstantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-onunit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted torest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners; and, a cover.
 13. A refusereceptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptaclecomprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least oneside wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and anopening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unitcomprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim ofthe container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezelcomprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portionto secure the bezel to the rim of the container; a retaining meansintegral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liner;and, a cover sized to fit to the add-on unit and to cover said retainingmeans.
 14. The refuse receptacle add-on unit of claim 13, wherein thecover is pivotally connected to the seat portion on the side oppositethe retaining means, said cover being pivotable between a firstposition, wherein the cover is disposed substantially co-planarly withthe seat portion, and at least a second position, wherein at least aportion of the lid is raised above the seat portion.
 15. A refusereceptacle add-on unit attachable to an upper rim of a refuse receptaclecomprising a container having at least one side wall, said at least oneside wall comprising the upper rim defining an open upper end and anopening, and a closed lower end defining a base, the add-on unitcomprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim ofthe container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezelcomprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portionto secure the bezel to the rim of the container; a retaining meansintegral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners;and, a stabilizing means.
 16. A refuse receptacle add-on unit attachableto an upper rim of a refuse receptacle comprising a container having atleast one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising the upperrim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower enddefining a base, the add-on unit comprising: a bezel disposedsubstantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-onunit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted torest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners; and, a stabilizing means comprisinga stabilizing flange fitted to a base of the container.
 17. A refusereceptacle, comprising: a container having at least one side wall, saidat least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upperend and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and, arefuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container,comprising a retaining means integral with the add-on unit to retain aset of replacement liners.
 18. A refuse receptacle, comprising: acontainer having at least one side wall, said at least one side wallcomprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and aclosed lower end defining a base; and, a refuse receptacle add-on unitattachable to the rim of the container, comprising: a bezel disposedsubstantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-onunit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted torest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; and, a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners.
 19. A refuse receptacle, comprising:a container having at least one side wall, said at least one side wallcomprising an upper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and aclosed lower end defining a base; and, a refuse receptacle add-on unitattachable to the rim of the container, comprising: a bezel disposedsubstantially co-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-onunit is seated thereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted torest on the rim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; and, a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners, said retaining means comprising anextension of the seat portion into which is integrally molded anupwardly opening cavity to house the set of replacement liners.
 20. Arefuse receptacle, comprising: a container having at least one sidewall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining anopen upper end and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base;and, a refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of thecontainer, comprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly withthe rim of the container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, saidbezel comprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of thecontainer; a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to theseat portion to secure the bezel to the rim of the container; and, aretaining means integral with the seat portion to retain a set ofreplacement liners, comprising: an extension of the seat portion intowhich is integrally molded an inwardly extending elongated rectangularnotch; a separate housing means to house the set of replacement liners,said housing means comprising a hollow tray having an upper open end anda rim; and, a housing engagement means to hold the tray securely in therectangular notch.
 21. A refuse receptacle, comprising: a containerhaving at least one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising anupper rim defining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lowerend defining a base; and, a refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable tothe rim of the container, comprising: a bezel disposed substantiallyco-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seatedthereon, said bezel comprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on therim of the container; a leg portion disposed substantiallyperpendicularly to the seat portion to secure the bezel to the rim ofthe container; and, a retaining means integral with the seat portion toretain a set of replacement liners, comprising a bracketing mechanism toreleasably retain a set of replacement liners, said set of replacementliners forming a roll mounted on a hollow core element.
 22. A refusereceptacle, comprising: a container having at least one side wall, saidat least one side wall comprising an upper rim defining an open upperend and an opening, and a closed lower end defining a base; and, arefuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to the rim of the container,comprising: a bezel disposed substantially co-planarly with the rim ofthe container when the add-on unit is seated thereon, said bezelcomprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of the container;a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to the seat portionto secure the bezel to the rim of the container; a retaining meansintegral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners;and, a cover.
 23. A refuse receptacle, comprising: a container having atleast one side wall, said at least one side wall comprising an upper rimdefining an open upper end and an opening, and a closed lower enddefining a base; and, a refuse receptacle add-on unit attachable to therim of the container, comprising: a bezel disposed substantiallyco-planarly with the rim of the container when the add-on unit is seatedthereon to secure the add-on unit to the rim of the container, saidbezel comprising: a seat portion adapted to rest on the rim of thecontainer; a leg portion disposed substantially perpendicularly to theseat portion to secure the bezel to the container; a retaining meansintegral with the seat portion to retain a set of replacement liners;and, a stabilizing means.